Cuff closure system

ABSTRACT

A pair of motorcycle riding pants having a lightweight cuff closure system. According to a preferred embodiment, the cuff closure system comprises adjustable straps, one per cuff, encircling the pant leg and passing through belt loops sewn into trouser cuffs. One end of the strap is anchored in a metallic snap clasp/buckle and the free end of the strap wraps around the pant leg, passing through the belt loops and is secured to the buckle for tightening the cuffs. An alternate embodiment of the lightweight cuff closure system comprises an adjustable strap having a hook fastener attached to one end and an opposing loop fastener attached to the free end, which passes through the belt loops. The opposing hook and loop fasteners attach for secure tightening of the trouser cuffs.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application derives priority from provisional patent application no. 60/670,622, filed Apr. 13, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a cuff closures for trouser and other cuffs and, more particularly to a cuff closure system for motorcycle riding pants to keep the rider's legs from coming into contact with debris, insects, and the cold wind.

2. Description of the Background

Motorcycles have a unique ability to liberate a biker's mind and spirit. Fostering feelings of freedom and thrills, bikers find that there is more to a motorcycle than the engine, wheels, and the framework that holds them together. There is a complex motion involving the left hand operating the clutch, the left foot operating the gear shift, and the right hand opening and closing the throttle to achieve smooth shifting both accelerating and decelerating. While many riders feel a sense of accomplishment at mastering the operation of a motorcycle, they also suffer from a major drawback in such operation, this being the strong wind velocity that pummels against the rider when traveling on a motorcycle at high speeds. The intensity of the wind velocity is heightened when operating the forward controls of a motorcycle. Strong wind velocity causes a very frustrating phenomenon to occur: the rising trouser leg. This phenomenon can be annoying, uncomfortable, and painful as it allows debris, insects, and the cold wind to rise upward along the biker's leg while riding. Thus it would be greatly advantageous to provide a motorcycle riding pants' cuff closure system that (1) has one adjustable strap per cuff, (2) has belt loops sewn into each cuff for the strap to pass through, (3) has a buckle anchored to the free end of the strap to secure it, (4) can be secured and donned in a matter of seconds, (5) is machine washable, (6) possesses a simple, yet scalable, design fabricated of durable, lightweight, flexible, resilient materials, and (7) may be economically manufactured and sold to provide for widespread use. Also, it would be greatly advantageous to provide a cuff closure system for motorcycle riding pants that (1) has one adjustable hook and loop fastening strap per cuff, (2) has belt loops sewn into each cuff for the strap to pass through, 3) can be adjusted single-handedly, (4) can be secured and donned in a matter of seconds, (5) is machine washable, (6) possesses a simple, yet scalable, design fabricated of durable, lightweight, flexible, resilient materials, and (7) may be economically manufactured and sold to provide for widespread use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight cuff closure system for motorcycle riding pants that would allow bikers to fully enjoy their motorcycling experience with confidence and comfort.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight cuff closure system, for motorcycle riding pants that has one adjustable strap per cuff keeping each trouser leg firmly in place, while still allowing the rider to easily operate the forward controls of the motorcycle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a lightweight cuff closure system for motorcycle riding pants that shields bikers' legs from road debris.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight cuff closure system for motorcycle riding pants that shields bikers' legs from insects.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight cuff closure system for motorcycle riding pants that offers weather protection to a rider's legs.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a lightweight cuff closure system for motorcycle riding pants that is machine washable.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight cuff closure system for motorcycle riding pants that can be secured and donned in a matter of seconds.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight cuff closure system for motorcycle riding pants that come in a variety of attractive colors, styles, and sizes.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a lightweight cuff closure system for motorcycle riding pants that possesses a simple and scalable design.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight cuff closure system for motorcycle riding pants that is fabricated of lightweight materials providing an appropriate degree of flexibility, resiliency, durability, and longevity.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight cuff closure system for motorcycle riding pants that may be economically manufactured and sold to provide for widespread use and disposability.

It is an object of an alternate embodiment of the invention to provide a lightweight cuff closure system, for motorcycle riding pants that has one adjustable strap per cuff that can be sealed by exerting minimal pressure, which facilitates more convenient single-handed adjustment of each strap for added security and comfort.

These and other objects are accomplished by the present invention, which is a pair of motorcycle riding pants having a lightweight cuff closure system. According to both a preferred and alternate embodiment of the present invention, the cuff closure system comprises adjustable straps, one per cuff, encircling the pant leg and passing through belt loops sewn into trouser cuffs. In the preferred embodiment, one end of the strap is anchored in a metallic snap clasp/buckle, and the free end of the strap wraps around the pant leg, passing through the belt loops and is likewise secured in the buckle. In an alternate embodiment, the adjustable strap has a hook fastener attached to one end and an opposing loop fastener attached to the free end. The free end wraps around the pant leg through the loops, and the loop and hook fasteners attach together for secure tightening of each cuff.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of motorcycle riding pants 1 having a lightweight cuff closure system 2, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the closure system 2 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the lightweight cuff closure system 8 that incorporates an opposing hook 10 and loop 11 fastening system, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of motorcycle riding pants 1 having a lightweight cuff closure system 2 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the closure system 2 shown in FIG. 1. The cuff closure system 2 comprises adjustable straps 3, one per cuff 5, encircling the pant leg and passing through belt loops 4 sewn into trouser cuffs 5. One end of the strap 3 is anchored in a metallic snap clasp/buckle 6, and the free end 7 of strap 3 wraps around the pant leg, passing through the belt loops 4, and is likewise secured in the buckle 6. A user would insert the free end 7 through the belt loops 4 and then out through the buckle 6 to securely tighten the cuffs 5. The user can easily adjust the strap 3 through the buckle 6 for added security and comfort.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, which is a lightweight cuff closure system 8. The cuff closure system 8 comprises adjustable straps 9, one per cuff 5, encircling the pant leg and passing through belt loops 4 sewn into trouser cuffs 5. One end of the strap 9 has a hook fastener 10 attached to it and an opposing loop fastener 11 is attached to the free end 7 of the strap 9, which wraps around the patent leg and passes through the belt loops 4. A user would insert the free end 7 through the belt loops 4 and attach the loop fastener 11 of the free end 7 to the hook fastener 10 to securely tighten the cuffs 5. The user can easily adjust the strap 9 by attaching more or less of the loop fastener 11 to the hook fastener 10 for added security and comfort. Velcro® is an example of effective hook 10 and loop 11 fasteners that may be used. The hook 10 and loop 11 fasteners allows the user to single-handedly seal the strap 9 closed by exerting minimal pressure, which facilitates more convenient no-fuss opening and closing of the cuffs 5.

The lightweight cuff closure systems 2, 8 of the present invention allow bikers to fully enjoy their motorcycles with confidence and comfort. The cuff closure systems 2, 8 provide motorcyclists a simple and effective means of preventing their trousers 1 from riding up their legs. Keeping the cuffs 5 of the riding pants 1 closed helps avoids painful cuts and bruises that may result from debris, such as rocks and sticks, which kicks up while a biker is riding a motorcycle. Also, the cuff closure systems 2, 8 keep the rider from experiencing the cold wind and insects, which can enter through trouser cuffs 5 and ride upward along the leg if the rider's cuffs 5 are not securely closed. Thus, the cuff closure systems 2, 8 protect the biker's legs throughout the ride, thereby greatly enhancing the biker's motorcycle riding experience.

In a matter of seconds, the cuff closure systems 2, 8 can be donned and secured. While riding, the straps 3, 9 work to keep each trouser cuff 5 firmly in place, yet they allow a motorcyclist to easily operate the forward controls of the motorcycle because the straps 3, 9 are comprised of flexible materials. The cuff closure systems 2, 8 are machine washable and made of durable materials, which should withstand years of continued use. The straps 3, 9 can be made of leather or cloth, and come in a wide array of styles, sizes, and colors to appeal to individual taste. Additionally, the pants 1 can be fabricated of a durable, heavyweight denim material and can also be offered in a variety of colors, styles, and sizes for women, men, girls, and boys. The pants 1 can also be lined with Kevlar® materials to provide much-needed warmth during cold motorcycle rides, especially taken in the autumn or winter. Therefore, these durable motorcycle pants 1 featuring secure, adjustable straps 3, 9 incorporated into the cuffs 5, would efficiently alleviate the trouser whip caused by the wind, and numerous other problems arising from trousers 1 riding up a biker's legs during the ride.

As is evident from the above disclosure, the cuff closure systems 2, 8 of the present invention possess a simple, yet scalable design that may be economically manufactured and sold to provide for widespread use. The closure systems 2, 8 utilize lightweight materials chosen to provide the appropriate degree of flexibility, resiliency, durability, longevity required by the nature of their usage, and yet their cost is minimal to allow ready disposal.

Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. For example, although the cuff closure systems 2, 8 are discussed here in the context of riding pants 1 it is envisioned that these closure systems 2, 8 could apply to cuffs of jackets, shirts, and other garments. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims. 

1. A pair of cuff enclosable motorcycle riding pants comprising: a pair of pants having two trouser cuffs; a cuff closure system, further comprising: a plurality of belt loops sewn into each of said trouser cuffs, two adjustable straps having two ends, wherein one of said straps passes through said loops in one of said cuffs.
 2. A pair of cuff enclosable motorcycle riding pants according to claim 1, wherein said adjustable strap further comprises leather.
 3. A pair of cuff enclosable motorcycle riding pants according to claim 1, wherein said adjustable strap further comprises cloth.
 4. A pair of cuff enclosable motorcycle riding pants according to claim 1, wherein said ends further comprise a free end and an opposing end anchored to a metallic clasp, wherein said free end passes through said belt loops and said clasp for secure tightening of said strap around said cuff.
 5. A pair of cuff enclosable motorcycle riding pants according to claim 1, wherein said ends further comprise a free end having an attached loop fastener and an opposing end having an attached opposing hook fastener, whereby said hook fastener and said opposing loop fastener attach together for secure tightening of said strap around said cuff.
 6. A pair of cuff enclosable motorcycle riding pants according to claim 5, wherein said opposing hook and loop fasteners comprise Velcro® closures.
 7. A cuff closure system comprising: a plurality of belt loops sewn into trouser cuffs; and two adjustable straps having two ends, wherein one of said straps passes through said loops in one of said cuffs, further wherein each of said straps comprise a free end and an opposing end anchored to a metallic clasp, wherein said free end passes through said belt loops and said clasp for secure tightening of said strap around said cuff.
 8. A pair of cuff enclosable motorcycle riding pants according to claim 7, wherein said adjustable strap further comprises leather.
 9. A pair of cuff enclosable motorcycle riding pants according to claim 7, wherein said adjustable strap further comprises cloth.
 10. A cuff closure system comprising: a plurality of belt loops sewn into trouser cuffs; and two adjustable straps having two ends, wherein one of said straps passes through said loops in one of said cuffs, further wherein each of said straps comprise a free end having an attached loop fastener and an opposing end having an attached opposing hook fastener, whereby said hook fastener and said opposing loop fastener attach together for secure tightening of said strap around said cuff.
 11. A pair of cuff enclosable motorcycle riding pants according to claim 10, wherein said adjustable strap further comprises leather.
 12. A pair of cuff enclosable motorcycle riding pants according to claim 10, wherein said adjustable strap further comprises cloth.
 13. A cuff closure system according to claim 10, wherein said opposing hook and loop fasteners comprise Velcro® closures. 